Henry just had to tell Eileen that he managed to talk to Alex, if even for a few seconds. He was unable to find her before the sun set last night so he was taking the morning to search for her. She wasn't in her room, so Henry thought of trying the cafe next. It was the cafe that Eileen would visit frequently while she was alive. She still seemed drawn to it even though she neither needed nor could eat or drink anymore.

He was on his way out of the apartment doors when he saw Walter Sullivan blocking the only exit and for a second Henry was transported back in time and thought about running in the opposite direction. Then he remembered that there was no need for that now, Walter had already won.

The mad man saw him before Henry could contemplate avoiding him. The look in Walter's eyes told Henry that he had been looking for him. Maybe he wanted to finish that awkward conversation they had the other day. He hoped that Walter wasn't about to ask him for romantic advice in order to woo Eileen. Henry didn't think he could handle how to deal with that.

The photographer dared to walk up to him. At least he was dead, so the only thing Walter could do to him now was ensure a little bit of pain. And the murderer had shot Henry so many times while he was alive that Henry felt almost used to it.

"Receiver," Walter greeted.

"Hey. I was going to look for Eileen," Henry didn't think the excuse would work but he was still willing to try.

"That's what you said last time."

The tone didn't sound accusing or even angry, just sad. The mad man's head was a complete mystery to Henry, he would have an easier time trying to decipher hieroglyphics. So far Walter had been content with talking only to his mother, though how he did that Henry had no idea. Why did Walter want to start talking to him now?

Henry cleared his throat in hopes that he could somehow hack up the anxious feeling in his chest. Being brave around Walter when he was being an asshole was easy but Henry couldn't deal with this non-threatening version of the killer. He peered into Walter's lifeless eyes.

"Was there something that you needed to talk to me about?"

Silence followed after for such a long while that Henry wondered if Walter heard him. Finally, the blonde responded.

"What do you know about love, Receiver?"

Gulp!

Henry braced himself for the worst but he was still unprepared for that question. Why was it easier for him to deal with Walter when he was wielding a gun with that insane chuckling?

"Why do you ask?"

Walter gave Henry a look that told him to simply answer the question. Henry sighed tiredly, he wouldn't get rid of Walter so easily like last time.

"Well, when you love someone, you want to spend time with them. They're often almost always in your thoughts and you would like them to like you back. People who love each other will give each other gifts and things like that. That's all I know, really. I'm afraid I'm not….very good at that sort of thing."

The killer tilted his head ever so slightly, dead eyes in contemplation. Henry remembered talking to Cynthia about her past lovers. She had flirted with Walter in the past, which according to her was why he killed her. Henry tried to press for answers but Cynthia just gave him a sad look and said that Walter needed more love than she could provide. Whatever happened between the two was still a mystery to Henry.

"Gifts? Such as?"

Oh, come on! He had just told Walter that he wasn't good at this sort of thing. But of course Walter wouldn't listen to anything Henry actually wanted to tell him. Henry prevented himself from sighing, his heart was nearly aching to go outside.

"Well. It could be chocolates or flowers or dolls…"

"Like Ms. Galvin's doll?"

So it was Eileen he was pining for. The bit of hope laced in Walter's voice didn't go unnoticed by Henry.

"Yeah. Though she was a kid when she gave you that, right? I think she wasn't thinking of love in a romantic sense when she did it."

"I agree."

Henry waited for him to say more. Walter remained silent so Henry tried to move the conversation along.

"Eileen is…a really nice person," was Henry's subtle way of saying she might not be his type (or more accurately, he hers), "I don't know if she's interested in anybody."

"Who are you interested in, Receiver?"

Henry suppressed the urge to hold his hands up like he was being held at gun point.

"Eileen and I are just friends."

"I understand. But I'm not talking about Eileen. Who are you interested in?"

It was only then did Henry began to question his initial theory. Perhaps Walter was looking for general love advice and not aiming for Eileen at all? The more they talked, the less likely it seemed Walter was infatuated with her. Liked her, of course. But Henry couldn't get a sense of anything else.

Walter's eyes hardened just a tad and his voice was growing a bit sharper. Henry knew that if he didn't start dishing out straight, direct answers, Walter would shoot him in the head again. And Henry suffered enough excruciating headaches to last him a hundred years.

"I…" should Henry tell him about Alex? No, that would be stupid. He couldn't risk even mentioning his name to the man who killed over twenty people. "I don't really have anyone I'm interested in. None of the ghosts are my type and…well living people are unavailable."

It was the wrong thing to say, Henry could tell by the crushed look on Walter's face. What was wrong? Henry couldn't understand why Walter was now looking as miserable as a loving puppy kicked by its own master. What answer had he been hoping for? Henry couldn't figure out what was going on in the man's head.

He jumped and his heart, though unbeating, managed to jump also when Walter suddenly grasped his hand in a firm grip. Henry braced himself for whatever punishment Walter had planned for him.

But the grip suddenly loosened a bit, not enough to let him go but enough to ease any pain. Henry stared at it, then up at the man it was connected with. Walter had taken another step closer and Henry couldn't back away this time. A thought struck Henry. Could Walter be…. But that didn't make any sense!

"Could there be any chance of you and I being together?" Walter asked in a soft voice.

Shock first, then dread as Henry went through all the ways he would get hurt when he said no. Henry couldn't…wouldn't love the man who killed his friend. He may have forgiven him shortly after his death but Henry wanted nothing to do with him. Besides…Alex.

He had no idea that Walter held any interest in him. Hell, he didn't even know the man swung that way. Hopefully this was all just a dream and Henry would wake up soon.

A few seconds of silence passed and the grip stayed secure. Henry had to answer, not because Walter might be getting in patient (as a matter of fact, he seemed content to just stand there and hold hands) but because Henry couldn't stand this agonizing tension any longer.

"I….um…I don't think we…"

Walter titled his head, silently urging him to continue.

"I mean. I'm not. I….Walter, it's just that…I don't feel that way about…you…"

The hand quickly withdrew. Walter's expression was unreadable, confusing the other man. Henry had expected some sort of emotion. Walter stepped back and disappeared through the wall without saying anything. Great, now Henry felt like an ass. He hoped he didn't hurt Walter's feelings. He just….

Alex's P.O.V.

"I still don't get it."

Josh's insistence on questioning his every order really irked Alex to the point where he wanted to scream.

"You don't have to understand, okay? We're moving as soon as we can."

"But why?" this question had already came up dozens of times.

"I don't need you talking to dead people. Alright? There's your answer. Soon as I find a place, finish the paper work and collect the money, we're leaving. Why are you so attached to this place anyway? We just moved here."

"Mrs. Smith is nice. And we're close to Candyopolis. And I only have to walk a little to get to the bus."

Josh's reasonings didn't sit with Alex.

"We'll find a place closer to your new school so you won't have to take the bus at all. I can let you talk to Mrs. Smith and the phone and bring you over for her to babysit. And we can get candy anyplace, anytime. There's no reason to-"

A sudden knocking came from the door, causing the two brothers to cease their arguing and just stare at it dumbly. Alex didn't have a clue who would be taking the time to visit them. The few friends they had time to make over the short while they been here do not yet know their address. Alex went to open the door, his heart sinking at what he saw.

Esmond and Carl were there with a wide smile on their faces. They each had a flower in their hand which they handed to Alex. He arched an eyebrow on the note one of them had. Thank you for dinner. Why were they thanking them? They're the ones who payed.

Alex let them in so he wouldn't seem rude, hoping that Esmond wouldn't catch the scowl on Josh's face.

"Hey guys. I really wasn't expecting this," Alex said honestly.

"We were just so happy you joined us last night. Sorry to barge in like this but you have a nice room," Carl complimented, "Hello, Josh."

"Hi."

Esmond was inspecting the room with a more critical eye than his fiance before turning to Alex.

"Actually, we heard you two talking to each other. You're planning on moving so soon. You'll still be in town though."

It took a moment for Alex to find his voice.

"Yeah…uh. I thought it would be better for Josh if we were away from South Ashfield Heights. After hearing him talk about dead people, I figure it would be best."

"You know it's not impossible. Not after what you saw," Josh argued loudly.

Alex shot him a dirty look while Esmond glance at him questionably. The elder Shepherd thought up a quick, half-assed lie.

"I told him about a ghost story. He believed it. Don't listen to him, please," Alex forced a smile.

The grin brought a smile on Esmond's own face and this one looked much more genuine.

"Well, if you two need a place to stay, we'll be more than happy to give you a spare room in our house."

"I really have to decline," forget dinner and a fat paycheck. This was just starting to get weird now, "I can't accept anymore-"

"But we'd be happy for you to move in with us," Carl pressed. What kind of fiance was this guy?

"That's weird," Josh voiced Alex's thoughts, "What kind of offer is that?"

"Josh. That's enough."

"No! Can't you see he just wants to get into your pants? Esmond doesn't-"

"SHUT UP, JOSH!"

His voice echoed against the walls, followed quickly by a tense silence. Josh frowned at his older brother but didn't say anything more. Esmond was frowning too, looking partly angry and partly hurt.

"I didn't mean to upset your brother with my offer. I just wanted to help out a friend."

"I'm so sorry about him, Mr. Anderson. Please don't take anything he said to heart."

"Do you think I'm still trying to go after you? Is that why you're so hesitant to accept my hospitality?"

Carl smartly left the room. Alex told Josh to do the same, which the boy did after some coaxing. The elder Shepherd inhaled sharply in order to face Esmond's accusing look head on.

"We didn't exactly end on a bright note. And you did say you would either have me back or kill me."

"I know. I was an overly emotional teenager then. It was terrible of me to say that," Esmond admitted apologetically, "That's why I want to help you. To make up for what I've done."

"You already did. You gave me a great job. There's nothing else you need to do."

"But you feel uncomfortable by my kindness, so I can only assume you think I have an ulterior motive. I'm simply," he paused and sighed, "I'm simply crushed. I thought we could be friends again. What kind of man do you think I am? I wouldn't chase after you when I'm engaged to another. I'm not a cheater."

The words managed to lay a poison sting on Alex's heart. Even though he wouldn't take crap from just anybody, he would suffer anything from a person he loved. That was why he never could say anything against his parents when they belittled him. It hurt so much to love and whether he liked it or not, there was still a part of Alex that cared for Esmond.

That was why, instead of being offended of Esmond treating him like the bad guy, Alex felt like an absolute monster. His old friend was going through hell and back trying to patch their relationship and now Esmond knew about him suspecting it was all false kindness.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you," now the tables were turned as Alex was the one apologizing.

Esmond looked away with hurt in his eyes.

"If you don't want anything to do with me, then I understand. I'll just be your boss and we'll never have to see each other much. I don't want you to think that I'm being manipulative."

"Esmond-"

"So it's Esmond now?"

"Please don't be upset. I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you. Can I please make it up to you? Let's be friends again."

"I think it would be better to just leave each other alone."

Esmond started walking, Alex's guilt growing until he felt as ugly as mold on bread. Monsters, blood and cults Alex could take but not guilt, never guilt.

"Please don't leave. Please give me a chance to make it up to you. I would love to live close to you and Carl, if the offer's still good. We can all do something right now, like the movies? Please don't be angry. Please don't hate me."

Damn, he sounded like a sobbing wreck yet Alex couldn't help it as he was unconsciously back in his abused, submissive mentality.

Esmond turned to face him with a concerned expression filling his features.

"I don't hate you. I never did. I'm sorry I got upset, Alex."

"I'm sorry too."

With that, the two smiled at each other. Truthfully, there was still a small bit of doubt in Alex's chest that he was determined to keep to himself.

Later that day, Alex was packing more bags and Josh had been forced to help. The little boy was groaning and moaning every five seconds in case Alex didn't know about his displeasure.

"Quit it, Josh."

"We really have to live with them? That's gross!"

"It's a big house. I'm talking huge enough that we have a wing all to ourselves."

"And he's just going to let us have it?" suspicion oozed out of the tone.

"I'll pay him monthly. Friends do things like this for each other all the time. Are you really going to get pissed off every time someone helps us out or buys food for us?"

Josh sulked silently and refused to reply. Alex put the last of his clothes in his suitcase.

"He's here."

Alex blinked before registering that Josh spoke. He raised his head to look at his baby brother. The small boy was staring through an open, empty doorway.

"What did you say?" Alex asked.

"Henry. He's here."

Alex's heart stopped for a moment. Josh wasn't kidding. He couldn't be, not with that serious look. He dropped his clothes and pulled out his knife. He was never without it nowadays, going so far as to stuff it under his pillow at night. He stood in front of Alex and stared at the empty space.

"Where is he?"

"What are you doing?" Josh asked.

"I won't let him come any closer."

Josh was silent.

"But he says that he doesn't want to hurt you."

Could this all be a joke? Maybe Josh was getting to be a better actor. He swore, if this was all made up-

"He says he's sorry for invading your dreams," Josh continued, quelling all of Alex's doubts. He had never told Josh that he had dreamt of Henry.

"What does he want with us?"

Josh was silent as the unseen ghost answered. Alex waited a bit until the silence got to him.

"Well? What did he say?"

"He stutters a lot. It's hard to make out what he's trying to tell me," Josh admitted.

Alex felt useless just having Josh translate for him, so he decided to at least speak to Henry directly. He stared at the spot he assumed Henry was.

"What do you want? Are you another freak of the Order?"

Silence for a moment, then Josh spoke.

"He said he has nothing to do with the cult. He was killed by a religious fanatic of the Order."

My God. The man had never been caught. Maybe having information on the killer would help Alex keep Josh safe?

"Who's the killer? Tell me."

"Walter Sullivan," Josh said after a pause.

It took a moment for the words to sink in. Alex braced himself for his next question.

"Walter Sullivan's already dead. Are you telling me a ghost killed you?"

"He said yes," Josh answered after a slight pause.

"What does he want?" Alex repeated the question.

This time the silence stretched for so long that Alex had to turn to his little brother. Josh gazed up at him and shrugged.

"I don't think he knows. He's staring at us with a blank look and hasn't said anything," Josh admitted.

"Please leave us alone," Alex turned back to the empty spot, "We just need a bit of normality in our lives. If you're harmless then…leave. Us. Alone."

"Wait, Henry!" Josh suddenly rushed forward before Alex could grab him. The boy stopped and stared at the wall. He turned around with an angry face.

"You hurt his feelings! Now he left."

Henry's P.O.V.

Alex knew something about the Order. Did…did he have to go through some shit ordeal like he did? Alex wielded that knife as if he used it plenty of times before. Did he deal with monsters?

After failing to find Eileen, Henry went to Alex like a moth to a flame. He was shocked that Alex now suspected a ghost following him around and even more so that it was so easy for Alex to believe such a thing possible. It had to be the Order. Alex knew the supernatural existed and he wanted nothing to do with it.

He wanted normality. Henry's dead heart broke in pieces. He knew he had to leave them alone now, for Alex's sake. He walked back to the apartment he died in, feeling more empty than the day he first woke up as a ghost.

A/N

Late, I know. Sorry. But thank you guys for your reviews so far.

P.S. Soon, Walter will find out about Alex. Just a heads up.